Sony is unveiling a new Android tablet, the Xperia Tablet Z, at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Monday. The company claims the tablet is not only the “world’s thinnest 10.1-inch tablet” at 6.9 millimeters, but it's apparently waterproof in up to three feet of water for 30 minutes.

Inside, the Xperia Tablet Z has a quad-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 1920×1200 display running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. (Sony has gone scouts-honor that the tablet will be updated to 4.2 "after launch.") The tablet weighs 495 grams (1.05 pounds), and it has an 8-megapixel rear and 2-megapixel front camera, plus 16GB/32GB storage configurations with a microSD slot that can take up to a 64GB card.

The tablet also contains an IR blaster that works with a special version of an app Sony has created called TV SideView. TV SideView integrates with a user’s cable provider and allows users to browse the program guide as well as currently airing content.

If users see a program they want to watch within the app, they can swipe the selection up toward the TV, and the cable box will then tune itself to that channel and program. Because this version of the app relies on the IR blaster—rather than on a Wi-Fi network as it must with other Android tablets—the app can work with many non-networked TVs and set-top boxes. The app, combined with the IR blaster, presents a compelling solution to the problem we have communicating with TVs as their functionality grows more complex.

Sony will price the Xperia Tablet Z at $499 for a 16GB Wi-Fi version and $599 for 32GB. The company has no current plans to release a 4G version. The tablet has the broad release window of “spring,” and it will be on display throughout MWC, where two intrepid Ars reporters are on the ground to provide all the latest updates.

Casey Johnston
Casey Johnston is the former Culture Editor at Ars Technica, and now does the occasional freelance story. She graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Applied Physics. Twitter@caseyjohnston

62 Reader Comments

Love the waterproof idea! Web-surfing (emailing, picture taking, texting, etc.) while floating on the pool lounger - definitely a use-case I would enjoy. Would definitely like to see Apple "catch up" on this feature.

Since it's only certified for a depth of 3 ft, you better stick to the kiddie pool if you want to play it safe.

The IR thing is actually pretty solid and makes sense from their end selling home entertainment systems too. My roomate has the Tablet S that we use as the universal remote in the living room. It controls the entire home entertainment system, so for the price of the Touchscreen Harmony, he got a tablet that replicates most of it's functions - plus the internet/email/apps/games.. and since the TV is DLNA (he's a Sony guy from top to bottom in the living room) we can also push pics/music/video from the tablet to the tv as well..

The waterproof part is also a nice added feature, mainly just to guard against spills.. though I guess you could also take it in the bath or hot tub or something as an ereader or small video player.. or even a safer kitchen tv/device

Combine those two things with the SD slot and you turn a nice tablet into a great tablet option if those three use cases are important to you. Sony if you want a Universal Remote, Asus if you want an integrated keyboard dock, Samsung if you want the pen/split screen, Nexus10 if you want the best 'tablet'..

I wonder if they'll make a 7 inch version that goes after the Harmony Market.. though I heard the Samsung Note8 will be encroaching on that turf, will have to see the pricing there..

What the hell is with Android manufacturers constantly releasing hardware that runs old versions of the OS right out of the box? I get it that most consumers don't notice or care, but how does stuff like this even happen?

What the hell is with Android manufacturers constantly releasing hardware that runs old versions of the OS right out of the box? I get it that most consumers don't notice or care, but how does stuff like this even happen?

Likely it was the most recent version available when R&D started, and rather than start over with the QA and such they stick with the known version and consider a update down the road. they do not have the "luxury" of a certain other company that develops the OS in house.

...That said, I would put money against apple incorporating an IR blaster, they are always forward looking with technologies, even when older technologies are still of use. And... I think apple also enjoys people buying replacements for their water damaged ipads (water damage isn't covered by applecare), so I doubt the second will happen either.

Actually, water damage is covered (since October 2011), if you purchase AppleCare+.

...That said, I would put money against apple incorporating an IR blaster, they are always forward looking with technologies, even when older technologies are still of use. And... I think apple also enjoys people buying replacements for their water damaged ipads (water damage isn't covered by applecare), so I doubt the second will happen either.

Actually, water damage is covered (since October 2011), if you purchase AppleCare+.

Thanks, that is good to know. I remember being infuriated when what my applecare didn't cover when refused a repair on my old Macbook Pro. (I wonder if they've improved coverage of that as well). Based on the details of the applecare contract I had, using my computer when it was too cold or hot and humid (basically if I used it outside in August where I lived at the time) would void applecare. I have never purchased it again. Luckily, I haven't had any further accidents since.